A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 205

205. The Last Night at the Tang Manor

Deep into the night, Sohn Bin was quietly reading a book alone in his quarters. He had just finished the Mysterious Sky Sword Training, so he was in a good mood.

As Sohn Bin was reading the text with a relaxed mind, he suddenly raised his head.

Click.

The door suddenly opened. Sohn Bin’s eyes widened.

“Miss Tang Hwa-ryun.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, dressed in extravagant attire, was striding in without hesitation. She was the young chief strategist of the Tang Manor, Tang Wol-ah’s sister, and had accompanied Sa Ja-hyuk and Tang Baek-ho to their life-or-death duel, the Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said with an unusually haughty expression. She glanced down at Sohn Bin and then looked around the quarters.

Sohn Bin gave an awkward smile and stood up from his seat.

“What brings you here so late without any notice?”

“Why, can’t I come?”

Even with the subtle hint of impropriety, Tang Hwa-ryun was completely unfazed.

“That’s not what I meant……”

“Then it’s fine.”

Thud.

Tang Hwa-ryun closed the door. She strode in as if it were her own room and plopped down on a chair near the desk where Sohn Bin was.

It was an action unbecoming of the chief strategist of the Tang Manor and the person who currently held the real power.

‘Huh?’

Sohn Bin noticed that her face was slightly flushed.

“Did you perhaps drink……?”

“Yes, I did. I felt good and bad at the same time.”

Judging by her complexion, she hadn’t drunk to the point of being completely drunk. Yet, her words and actions were unusually unrestrained.

‘Hmm.’

Sohn Bin hesitated for a moment. He should ask the reason out of courtesy, but he also felt like he shouldn’t.

However, Tang Hwa-ryun was already staring intently at Sohn Bin, so he couldn’t help but ask.

“So, why do you feel……?”

“Because my beloved sister Wol-ah is leaving again.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, who had been staring intently at Sohn Bin, blurted out the answer before Sohn Bin could even finish his sentence.

“And she’s going with you, so how could I feel good?”

Sohn Bin gave a wry smile at her almost glaring gaze.

However, he could understand her feelings, so he gave a gentle smile and said.

“Don’t worry. Miss Wol-ah will be fine. She’s already a formidable expert that no one can ignore, and Elder Noh is also with her……”

“Hoo.”

A long sigh interrupted Sohn Bin’s words.

“You really don’t know anything. Or……”

Tang Hwa-ryun said with a bitter smile.

“Is it me who doesn’t know anything?”

Tang Hwa-ryun’s expression, as she lowered her gaze, looked particularly lonely.

But as she said, Sohn Bin didn’t know anything, so he couldn’t say anything.

Rummage.

Tang Hwa-ryun reached into her bosom and took something out.

Thud.

What appeared on the desk was a small, palm-sized jade-colored porcelain bottle. The color of the porcelain itself was so radiant that Sohn Bin cautiously asked, wondering if it was some kind of elixir.

“This is……”

“It’s alcohol.”

“Pardon?”

Sohn Bin was dumbfounded. But Tang Hwa-ryun’s expression was confident.

“I liked the scent, so I secretly brought it. You have cups here, right? Go get them.”

She meant to drink more, so Sohn Bin frowned. She was already like this with just a slightly flushed face, so if she got any more drunk, Sohn Bin wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Hurry.”

But Tang Hwa-ryun was adamant. Sohn Bin had no choice but to go get the water cups placed next to the bed.

“Two.”

Tang Hwa-ryun’s voice flew as Sohn Bin picked up one small cup. Sohn Bin gave a wry smile and picked up two cups. The smallest ones possible.

Clink, trickle.

The cups were placed down, and a clear, amber-colored liquor flowed from the small jade porcelain bottle. A deep, rich fragrance filled the room in an instant.

The fragrance was so mellow and smooth that even Sohn Bin, who didn’t know much about alcohol, could tell it was very good.

Sohn Bin picked up a chair from in front of the desk, placed it in front of Tang Hwa-ryun, and sat down.

“This is all there is.”

Although the cups were small, they weren’t even half full. Tang Hwa-ryun shook the porcelain bottle and then threw it behind her back with a flick.

Thump.

The porcelain bottle landed accurately in a small box that served as a trash can in one corner of the room. Tang Hwa-ryun chuckled when she saw Sohn Bin’s surprised face.

“Why are you making such a fuss over this?”

Sohn Bin was reminded that she was not ignorant of martial arts. She already had the title of Snow Sword and was a figure synonymous with young, rising experts in the martial arts world.

‘Huh? Then……’

If she was flushed to this extent, perhaps she had drunk more than he thought.

“Here, take it.”

Tang Hwa-ryun’s voice cut off Sohn Bin’s thoughts. Sohn Bin reflexively picked up the cup. The fragrance was good, and he thought it wouldn’t matter since it was just a little bit.

“Congratulations.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said, raising her cup towards Sohn Bin. Then she emptied the cup in one gulp.

Sohn Bin wondered inwardly, ‘What are you congratulating me for?’ but he thought that things had worked out well anyway, so he brought the cup to his lips.

“Cough.”

He had made a mistake by gulping it down all at once, thinking it wasn’t much.

The alcohol was much stronger than he had expected, and Sohn Bin immediately coughed.

“Cough, cough.”

It felt like his throat was burning. Sohn Bin quickly tried to find water, but he met Tang Hwa-ryun’s mocking gaze as she looked at him.

“Khuh-eum!”

Sohn Bin quietly sat back down. The stimulation started to come to his chest and then to his stomach, but he pretended to be fine.

Even if the alcohol wasn’t strong, he didn’t want to show himself struggling with a single drink in front of a woman. Especially not Tang Hwa-ryun.

“Good, cough, liquor. Khuh-eum.”

Sohn Bin slightly covered his mouth with his hand and turned his head to cough. He heard Tang Hwa-ryun’s laughter softly in his ear. Sohn Bin’s face flushed slightly.

“Now everything you do will go well.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said. Sohn Bin wondered what she meant and looked up, meeting Tang Hwa-ryun’s shining eyes.

“Your competitors will fall ill with an unknown disease, and those who oppose you will suddenly become physically uncomfortable. If anyone becomes your enemy, very bad things will happen to their family.”

Sohn Bin gave a wry smile. The content seemed like a blessing, but the expression was very grim.

“I don’t know about that.”

Sohn Bin said, shrugging his shoulders.

“There aren’t any academies competing with us yet.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t know. He knew it meant that the Tang Manor would protect him with its power. But honestly, Sohn Bin didn’t really need it.

“Is that so?”

Tang Hwa-ryun’s red lips faintly smiled.

“There are many things that happen in the darkness. It’s our Tang Manor’s specialty, and it’s also a very fast and effective method.”

Sohn Bin smiled. Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t seem to expect an answer either and continued.

“I’ll have the Bukhae trade tax [tribute or tax from the Bukhae region] sent by the Songam Merchant Guild, which was sent to Wol-ah, sent to a place called Yewon for now. After all, there’s a separate portion set aside for Wol-ah anyway.”

The Bukhae trade tax was probably a gift sent by the Songam Merchant Guild, one of the Five Great Merchant Guilds. Tang Hwa-ryun, who had already heard the whole story from Tang Wol-ah, decided to send it to Yewon.

In fact, now that she had the Tang Manor in her hands, the amount of wealth didn’t really matter anymore. If Tang Wol-ah or Tang Hwa-ryun wanted it, it was all theirs.

“And I’ll cancel the order to join hands with the new Okryong.”

Sohn Bin gave a puzzled expression at Tang Hwa-ryun’s words.

“That bastard dared to send poison to our Tang Manor.”

The light in Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes was fiercely flashing as she spoke. Sohn Bin said in a serious voice.

“Then that incident at the former training hall……”

“There’s no evidence. No witnesses either. But the wounds are clear. It’s obvious which beast dared to bare its teeth at our Tang Manor.”

There were many opponents who had hostility towards the Tang Manor. But there weren’t many forces that could attempt such a thing.

The more outstanding the opponent, the more unique their methods. Chief Strategist Tang Hwa-ryun was certain that this incident was the work of the Blood Dragon Gate, not another family or sect.

“Our Tang Manor promised tacit cooperation with the Blood Dragon Gate. But with this incident, that agreement is broken. So you don’t have to worry about me or the Tang Manor at this Blood Phoenix Alliance meeting. Do whatever you want. Our Tang Manor will definitely support you.”

The situation surrounding the Blood Phoenix Alliance was very complicated. The Tang Manor, facing the northern part of the Jang River [Yangtze River], was an absolute variable that could not be ignored.

“Here, take this.”

Rustle.

Tang Hwa-ryun took out a thin letter-like object from her bosom and placed it on the table.

“Read it if you feel like it. It’s about this incident.”

“Thank you.”

“Have you decided what to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Sohn Bin smiled.

“Is there anything I can really do?”

It was a very gentle smile.

But Tang Hwa-ryun felt something surge up from within. To think that he would say such a thing even with the absolute support of the Tang Manor behind him.

“Ha, what are you really……”

Tang Hwa-ryun stopped speaking and stared intently at Sohn Bin. Sohn Bin looked at Tang Hwa-ryun as if he didn’t know what was going on.

A transparent gaze with no ulterior motives or hidden intentions. Those clear eyes looked straight at Tang Hwa-ryun. Without the slightest tremor.

Tang Hwa-ryun felt her strength drain away in an instant.

‘Well, he was originally this kind of man.’

Sohn Bin had been like this since the first time they met.

The beautiful sword path that unfolded under the moonlight, the picturesque joint training with the young lord of Bukhae, and the amazing ability to save Tang Wol-ah and the young poison users were just like clothes he wore.

Tang Hwa-ryun suddenly recalled the night she first saw Sohn Bin.

The figure of a rustic scholar who fearlessly followed behind the overwhelming Sa Ja-hyuk.

Pfft.

Tang Hwa-ryun let out a hollow laugh.

Thump.

“I’m leaving.”

Tang Hwa-ryun suddenly stood up. Sohn Bin also stood up from his seat, following her. It was already late at night, so there was no reason to stop her.

Step, step.

Sohn Bin watched Tang Hwa-ryun’s departing figure. Tang Hwa-ryun opened the door without hesitation.

Whoosh.

A cold wind seeped into the room. Tang Hwa-ryun stood still with the door open. Her splendid clothes gently swayed in the night breeze.

“Stay by Wol-ah’s side.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said, not even looking at Sohn Bin.

“Then I’ll be on your side too. Always, no matter what.”

Bang.

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Hwa-ryun closed the door. Her last words were not heard properly, but Sohn Bin could clearly understand.

“Thank you, Miss Hwa-ryun.”

Sohn Bin bowed politely, speaking to her who had already gone out the door.

“Hmph.”

Tang Hwa-ryun, who was standing with her back to the door, snorted softly at the voice coming from inside.

But on her red lips, a faint smile that could not be hidden was spreading.

Pat, pat.

With small footsteps, Tang Hwa-ryun moved away. Sohn Bin sat down. But he didn’t think he could read any more.

Thud.

Sohn Bin closed the book. The last night at the Tang Manor was passing.

*

*

*

“Aren’t you done yet?”

Thump.

Elder Noh entered as the door opened. Sohn Bin, who was finishing up his preparations to leave, smiled at Elder Noh and replied.

“I’m all done now.”

Sohn Bin picked up the small bag he had packed. Then Elder Noh suddenly frowned.

“What’s this smell? Did you drink?”

“Ah, yes. A little last night……”

Sohn Bin replied, but Elder Noh wasn’t satisfied and started sniffing around, even using his nose.

“This is definitely……”

“What are you doing from the morning?”

Shin-ui, who followed behind, frowned and gently scolded Elder Noh. But Elder Noh didn’t even answer.

“Found it.”

What Elder Noh held up was the small jade-colored porcelain bottle that Tang Hwa-ryun had thrown away last night.

Elder Noh brought his nose close to the porcelain bottle and made a serious expression.

“Where did you get this……?”

Sohn Bin tensed up.

“Is it perhaps some kind of precious elixir?”

He somehow felt suspicious. He didn’t think that Tang Hwa-ryun would bring just anything. The thought that it might be a precious elixir arose.

“It’s not an elixir, it’s alcohol.”

Elder Noh checked that the bottle was empty and then threw it to Shin-ui with a flick. Shin-ui received the bottle and carefully examined the fragrance and residue.

“It’s alcohol, alright.”

Sohn Bin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief at Shin-ui’s words. He had been worried about what to do if it was something precious, but he was relieved that it was just alcohol.

Elder Noh received the empty bottle back from Shin-ui and muttered.

“It seems to be Baeknyeonju [hundred-year wine]? The Tang Manor is more generous than I thought. To give this away.”

“Pardon?”

“If I’m right, this…… is that alcohol that takes at least a hundred years to brew.”

“A hundred years?”

He knew it was unusual, but he didn’t know it was to that extent. Sohn Bin’s eyes widened.

“Yes. It’s a type that slowly matures over a long period, and it’s said that only the Tang Manor secretly makes it, so even the name is unknown. It’s so difficult to properly mature that even the head of the Tang Manor can only taste it once in their lifetime, so in some ways, it’s more precious than any ordinary elixir.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not just expensive, you can’t even get it in the first place? There would be countless alcohol lovers in the world who would throw a thousand gold coins for just one cup of this.”

Sohn Bin was speechless. To think that he had poured it all down in one gulp without even tasting it, wasn’t that like drinking a thousand gold coins?

“I, let’s go out quickly. Everyone must be waiting.”

Sohn Bin, realizing that nothing good would come of the story getting longer, quickly changed the subject.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

After all, there was no point in holding an empty bottle and expecting alcohol to appear. Elder Noh threw the small jade-colored porcelain bottle with a flick and moved his feet outside. The jade-colored porcelain bottle disappeared silently to where it originally was.

“Brother Bin!”

Seo-rin quickly ran over and greeted him with a delighted expression as Sohn Bin came out. Perhaps because he had received separate accommodations after coming to the Tang Manor, Seo-rin was especially happy every morning.

Sohn Bin stroked Seo-rin’s head and greeted Old Madam Tang Un-yeong, Sa Soo-yeon, and Tang Hwa-ryun. But Tang Wol-ah was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Miss Wol-ah?”

Sa Soo-yeon smiled and replied.

“She’ll be here soon. Ah, there she comes.”

Sohn Bin turned his head.

The figures of five children were visible behind the slender Tang Wol-ah, who was wearing a veil.

The five children, who were covered in something so that their faces could not be seen properly, were wearing loose clothes and walking clumsily as if they were learning to walk for the first time.

The sight of them following behind Tang Wol-ah in a row, like baby birds following their mother, made him smile involuntarily.

“What, why are they all covered up?”

“I ordered it.”

Shin-ui replied to the grumbling Elder Noh.

“It’s not good to be directly exposed to the sunlight while new flesh is growing. I told them to ride in a carriage that was blocked on all sides if possible, but Wol-ah didn’t like it. So we decided to put a large cloth awning on the carriage to cast a shadow.”

Sohn Bin nodded. Only then did he understand why the children were wearing such head coverings and why they were wearing such loose and large clothes. It was to block the sunlight and improve ventilation.

In the meantime, Tang Wol-ah and the children came closer.

“Welcome, Miss Wol-ah.”

Tang Wol-ah bowed her head in response to Sohn Bin’s greeting. Then she turned her head to the children who were huddled together.

“You guys greet him too.”

One of the children, who was holding onto Tang Wol-ah’s sleeve, hesitated and stepped forward in front of Sohn Bin. Then he bowed his head and said.

“H, hello.”

The child spoke in a clumsy voice. It was a complete transformation from his former self, and Sohn Bin wore a pleased smile.

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

Sohn Bin reached out his hand to stroke the child’s head. But the child flinched his shoulder.

Sohn Bin stopped moving. But he didn’t withdraw his hand.

“Sniff, sniff.”

The child carefully smelled the tip of Sohn Bin’s hand. Then he stared intently at Sohn Bin. Sohn Bin smiled gently as he looked at the child’s eyes shining in the shade.

Swish.

The child put his head under Sohn Bin’s hand. Only then did Sohn Bin slowly stroke the child’s head. Although it was over the head covering.

“This child is Hong-ah.”

“Hong-ah.”

Hong-ah said his name with a satisfied expression. His words were clumsy, but he still pronounced his name clearly.

Seeing that, the other children scurried forward in front of Sohn Bin.

“This child is Cheong-ah, and Hwang-ah, Hwe-ah, and Nok-ah.”

The children bowed their heads every time their names were called. And they put their heads in as if it were natural. Sohn Bin slowly stroked the children.

“Is it hair color? You named them quite simply.”

Elder Noh, who realized the origin of the names, smiled and said. Sohn Bin replied instead.

“It must be a childhood name. Right?”

Childhood names are deliberately made to be lowly and insignificant. That’s because they believe that children will grow up healthy that way.

Tang Wol-ah didn’t say anything for a moment. Then she nodded slightly.

In the meantime, the children approached other people besides Sohn Bin and started looking around.

They seemed a little scared of Sa Soo-yeon, but they quickly rubbed their faces against her sleeve when Sa Soo-yeon smiled at them, and they soon bowed their heads to Old Madam Tang Un-yeong, Elder Noh, and Shin-ui.

However, no one went near Tang Hwa-ryun. That’s because Tang Hwa-ryun was frowning and openly showing her dislike. She probably found the children annoying.

The only one who expressed wariness or hostility was Seo-rin.

A child called Cheong-ah looked at Seo-rin and bared his teeth, lowering his posture.

“Ughhhhh.”

Seo-rin seemed a little surprised, but soon smiled. And he reached out his hand towards Cheong-ah’s head.

Swish.

It was a simple movement, but Seo-rin’s hand was very fast. But Cheong-ah also had confidence when it came to movement. Cheong-ah’s loose sleeve flew sharply towards Seo-rin’s hand.

Shriek, flick.

Absurdly, Cheong-ah’s sleeve cut through the air. Seo-rin’s hand twisted strangely and flicked a bean on top of Cheong-ah’s head covering.

“Ah!”

Cheong-ah made a surprised expression and covered his head with both hands. Then tears quickly welled up in his eyes and his mouth twitched.

“It’s okay.”

Tang Wol-ah said softly. Cheong-ah forcibly held back his tears at that one word.

Cheong-ah raised his head and glared at Seo-rin, but Seo-rin only snorted.

“Seo-rin-ah.”

Sohn Bin tried to soothe him, but Seo-rin still didn’t pretend to listen. He probably wanted to establish the hierarchy clearly, so Sohn Bin didn’t say anything more.

“Let’s go.”

Elder Noh said, as if he didn’t want to waste any more time. Old Madam Tang Un-yeong gave a gentle smile.

“Come back safely, Soon-rang.”

“Ahem. I’ll, I’ll see you at the academy. Young-mae.”

Elder Noh cleared his throat, perhaps feeling embarrassed now. Old Madam Tang Un-yeong decided to go to the academy after finishing up the work here.

In fact, he wondered if he should send the five children with Tang Un-yeong, but the children didn’t want to leave Tang Wol-ah, and Tang Wol-ah absolutely refused to give up accompanying Sohn Bin, so there was nothing he could do.

“Take care, Wol-ah.”

“Yes, Sister.”

Tang Hwa-ryun and Tang Wol-ah also exchanged greetings. Then Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t forget to glare at Sohn Bin once. As if to warn him to be prepared if anything went wrong.

After clearing his throat deliberately, Sohn Bin bowed to Tang Hwa-ryun and Old Madam Tang Un-yeong.

“Thank you for everything.”

“No. We are the ones who are really grateful.”

Tang Un-yeong held Sohn Bin’s hand. Sohn Bin quietly smiled at the warmth conveyed from that hand.

Tang Hwa-ryun deliberately turned her head, but Sohn Bin could tell that her feelings were not much different either.

“Goodbye. I’ll see you again soon.”

Sohn Bin said. With that, Sohn Bin’s group left the Tang Manor with the five children.

Guizhou’s capital, Guiyang, where the Blood Phoenix Alliance meeting was to be held, was just across the Jang River.